johnnny

J. E. (Johnny) Fahner-Vihtelic, Deputy Director, Associate Director for Physical Sciences, Office of Technology Transfer, URMC Johnny has been a technology manager and intellectual property professional for nineteen years. He began his career in this field at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1991, where he managed the device and instrument portfolio for nine years. After NIH he had a short eighteen month (18) stint at the University of Utah, as Senior Licensing Manager for Physical Sciences. In August of ’01, Johnny joined the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Office of Technology Transfer, as Deputy Director. Besides his involvement in management of the office, Johnny spends a good deal of his time working with new start-up companies in our region in a variety of capacities ... Such as business assessments, fund raising, personnel recruiting, intellectual property protection and all aspects of corporate management. Prior to his years managing intellectual property, he spent fifteen years designing and manufacturing medical electronic equipment. He managed the design and product development of therapeutic ultrasound machines, neuromuscular stimulators, infusion pumps, artificial kidney machines and a variety of ancillary devices. Johnny was trained as a nurse and EMT. During his clinical career he was a methadone maintenance clinic nurse, a dialysis nurse and was a Special Forces Medic from 1967 to 1971. He on the board of several local non-profit organizations who provide recreational and sporting opportunities for mentally and physically challenged individuals in our region. He enjoys a wide variety of recreational activities, particularly endurance sports. During his competitive years he competed in the Antarctica Marathon, he represented the US in the Paralympics and in 1998 he won the World Triathlon Championships, in his competitive category.